Jesus’ Financial Text of Terror

Robert

Here’s a small Biblical light on “Economic Justice” from a Mennonite perspective. In her sermon, “Jesus’ Financial Text of Terror“, Amy Yoder McGloughlin, pastor at Frazer Mennonite Church, Frazer, Pennsylvania, interprets Mark 10:17-31 as a lesson on Capitalism for us all.

— Robert

Here’s what is so problematic about this whole story, and probably why this text is not taken more seriously in Christian circles — In capitalism, redistributive justice is heresy. The justice that cares that all are fed, that all have what they need to live goes against the over-simplistic “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” philosophy of capitalism. But for Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, redestributive justice is the kingdom of God. So those of us who are rich have reason to be concerned by this text. If we take it seriously it has an important challenge for us.

www.storiesfromtheredtent.com/2018/10/17/jesus-financial-text-of-terror/

Autumn Crocus

Trans Faith and Faith Formation

CZ

Here is the VUU from 9/27/2018

We chatted live with Rev. Jaelynn Scott, Buddhist minister and UU religious educator, about trans faith and faith formation in Unitarian Universalism.

Rev. Jaelynn Scott is a Buddhist community minister who has served as the Director of Lifelong Learning at Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church. A graduate of Naropa University’s Buddhist Divinity program, she was ordained by Ven.’s Bhante Chao Chu and Tampalawela Dhammaratana, and brings decades of dedicated meditation experience to her ministry.

The VUU streams live on Facebook every Thursday at 11 am ET. We talk social justice, Unitarian Universalism, religion, spirituality, and whatever else is topical and interesting!

Hosts: Meg Riley, Michael Tino, Aisha Hauser, and Christina Rivera; production support provided by Jessica Star Rockers.

The VUU is brought to you by the Church of the Larger Fellowship.

Sunday, October 21, 2018: Interdependent Web [postponed from 14 Oct]

LdeG

Definition of interdependence

1 : the state of being dependent upon one another : mutual dependence interdependence of the two nations’ economies … a form of symbiosis, of close mutual interdependence of two species of organisms.— Marston Bates … the deep psychological interdependence between ourselves and those we love.— Judith A. Savage … understood the interdependence of mental, physical, and spiritual health.— Donald N. Levine But plants happen to grow in these little universes we call ecosystems, where they are sustained by complex webs of interdependency with fungi, microbes, animals, and other plants.— Kenneth Brower

2 : a mutually dependent relationship Growing global interdependencies further muddy the debate, making it harder to know who “we” are and what “our” national interests really are.— Peter H. Schuck There are complex interdependences among these factors …— Victor H. Benenberg

 

We would love to have you come worship with us.

Our 7th and newest principle is “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” We often talk more about nature than the “we are a part”, and the interdependence of people, countries, life, the universe, and everything. Lisa deGruyter will share some thoughts on that.

Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, behind the Courthouse. There are classes for children and adults 10 to 10:45 am, and a coffee gathering before the service. More about us.

Classes and worship are replaced by Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer, with brief worship, a potluck picnic, and outdoor activities. The schedule is in the sidebar.

Children are welcome.  There is childcare and an activity for young children during the service.

The building is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible restroom.

Map

The schedule for the current adult religious education class is here.

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information

or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302

Sunday, October 14, 2018: Interdependent Web

LdeG

Definition of interdependence

1 : the state of being dependent upon one another : mutual dependence interdependence of the two nations’ economies … a form of symbiosis, of close mutual interdependence of two species of organisms.— Marston Bates … the deep psychological interdependence between ourselves and those we love.— Judith A. Savage … understood the interdependence of mental, physical, and spiritual health.— Donald N. Levine But plants happen to grow in these little universes we call ecosystems, where they are sustained by complex webs of interdependency with fungi, microbes, animals, and other plants.— Kenneth Brower

2 : a mutually dependent relationship Growing global interdependencies further muddy the debate, making it harder to know who “we” are and what “our” national interests really are.— Peter H. Schuck There are complex interdependences among these factors …— Victor H. Benenberg

 

We would love to have you come worship with us.

Our 7th and newest principle is “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” We often talk more about nature than the “we are a part”, and the interdependence of people, countries, life, the universe, and everything. Lisa deGruyter will share some thoughts on that.

Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m. at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, behind the Courthouse. There are classes for children and adults 10 to 10:45 am, and a coffee gathering before the service. More about us.

Classes and worship are replaced by Spiritual Outings on the first Sunday of each month during the summer, with brief worship, a potluck picnic, and outdoor activities. The schedule is in the sidebar.

Children are welcome.  There is childcare and an activity for young children during the service.

The building is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible restroom.

Map

The schedule for the current adult religious education class is here.

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information

or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302

Taking on the Doctrine of Discovery

CZ

What is Indigenous Peoples’ Day?

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a holiday that celebrates the history and contributions of the indigenous peoples of North America.

It is observed on the second Monday of October, thus coinciding with Columbus Day, a United States federal holiday commemorating the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. This holiday is increasingly controversial due to the catastrophic impact of the arrival of European settlers on Native Americans. Consequently, several states do not recognize the holiday, and others celebrate it as Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a counter-celebration and protest against Columbus Day: South Dakota officially celebrates Native American Day on the same day as Columbus Day, and other states have an “American Indian Day” (eg. Tennessee and Nevada) or “American Indian Heritage Day”. The dates differ from state to state. The state of Vermont and the city of Phoenix, Arizona, declared their first Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2016. from CalendarPedia

Often children are taught about 1492 and his three ships and not much else. There were serious repercussions to his invasion and the following conquests of the Americas. Repercussions that are still affecting us today. We need to take it on. For more information. 

As a way of celebrating and educating, I thought a podcast was in order. I hope you enjoy the VUUs discussion of Taking on the Doctrine of Discovery with Kia Bordner and Rev. Clyde Grubbs.

https://www.questformeaning.org/vuu-latest/228/

Namaste,
Cricket

The VUU streams live on Facebook every Thursday at 11 am ET. We talk social justice, Unitarian Universalism, religion, spirituality, and whatever else is topical and interesting!

Hosts: Meg Riley, Michael Tino, Aisha Hauser, and Christina Rivera; production support provided by Jessica Star Rockers.

The VUU is brought to you by the Church of the Larger Fellowship.

The Rustic Mechanicals Announce Cast and Tour Locations for Hamlet

CZ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Rustic Mechanicals Announce Cast and Tour Locations for Hamlet

The Rustic Mechanicals, now in their fifth season, have grown from a troupe of seven actors to this year boasting a roster of nearly thirty West Virginia artists.

Daniel Crowley headlines the production in the eponymous role of Hamlet.

“This is the most challenging role I have ever tried to wrap my mind around,” said Crowley. “Every time I encounter the text I discover a new motive, tactic, double entendre, or meaning. I completely understand why it is the Holy Grail for young actors.”

Audiences will also see Sarah Smith as Ophelia, Josh Brooks as King Claudius, Cassandra Hackbart as Queen Gertrude, John O’Connor as the doting Polonius, and Sean Marko as his son Laertes. Justin Grow and Kyle Stemple will appear as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as well as Marcellus and Barnardo. James Matthews is taking on the roles of the Ghost, the Player King, and the Gravedigger while Sarah Young will appear as Horatio. Rounding out the cast is Samantha Huffman as the Player Queen and a servant.

Young directs the production with Technical Direction by David Byard, Costume Design by Jason Noland, Fight Choreography by Millie Omps, Dramaturgy by John Shirley, and with Tommy Schoffler serving as the production’s Movement Coach and Celi Oliverto serving as the troupe’s Acting Coach.